Capping machine



Feb. 1.1, 1930. @wl Munn 1,746,271

I CAPPING MACHINE G. w. Munn 1,746,271

CAFPING HAGHINE Filed sept. 4. 1928` 4 sheets-sheet 2 Quo. I

Feb. 11, 1930.

Feb. 11, 1930. w. Munn 1 1,746,271

cArPING ummm Filed Sept. 4. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 11, 1930. l G, w, uw 1,746,271

Patented Fel). 171i, 1930 UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE GARRETT W. MDZD, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MANUFACTURERS MACHIN- ERY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CAPPING MACHINE Application filed September This invention relates to improvements in 'tapping machines for applying caps or covers to boxes or containers by telescoping one over the other, and one of the objects of the invenf tion is to provide in a machine of this charf" tralizing or positioning the container and cap orcover one withy relation 4to the other.

To the attainment of these ends and the` accomplishment of other newr and useful objects as vvillvappear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the con; struction, combination and arrangement of they several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention andV in Which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine of this character constructed in `accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view as taken on line ,QL-2,Figure 1. Figure 3 is a detail, vertical, sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure 1.

Figure e is an enlarged detail sectional view v showing the manner in which the cap and container are superposed and then telescoped one with respect to the other and as taken on line 4F94, Figure 1. p

Figure 5 is a sectional vievv taken online :if-5, Fi gure 6, showing a container With cover thereon in position between the cen- Vtralizing and holding members.`

Figure -6 is a sectional view taken onV line (iw-G, Figure 5..

Figure is an enlarged plan view showing oneend of one of the conveyors for conveyingone oftheelements into the machine.

Figure Sis a detail perspective viewof one of the semi-circular holding and positioning members. t

"lflhrou-ghout the specification and claims the terms box and cap Will be employed to designate the container and the cover therefor, but it is to be understood that these terms are not to be construed as terms of limitation, but merely as descriptive as the invention is applicable for use With any size container and cover therefor.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designates generally a supporting structure, upon Which structure two upright stationary shafts 11 and 12 are mounted, and carried respectively by these shafts for rotation thereabout are members 13 and 14.

Rotatable also about the 'shafts are gear uf'heels 15-16, Which mesh with each other so that motion Will be imparted from one to the other.

The member 13 is secured to the gear wheel 15 for rotation therewithin any suitable manner such as by means of fastening bolts 15 (see particularly Figure Q) and the member 14 may be secured to the gear 15 for rotation therewith in a similar nianner, preferably by means of fasten-ing bolts 16a. A

Mounted in any suitable manner upon the supporting strlieture is a motor 17, to the shaft of which secured a pinion 18 which meshes with a gear 19, the latter being secured to a shaft 2O for rotation therewith. Secured also to the shaft 20"is a sprocket Wheel 21 over Which a sprocket chain 22 passes, and this chain in turn passes over a sprocket Wheel 23 secured to al horizontal shaft 24: for rotation therewith.

Motion is imparted to themembers 13 14 and the respective gears 1.5-1.6 preferably by means of a gear 25 which meshes with the gear 16 and is secured to an upright shaft 26 journaled in a suitable bearing 27, for rotationtherewith. A suitabledrive connection 28, preferably in the form of a spiral or Worm gear connection is provided With the shafts 24 and 27, Aso that upon the operation of the motor 17 the gears 1.5-16 andrespective member-s 13-14 Will be rotated.

Recessed intov each of the members 13-14 are co operating` semi circular members 29'-30` and which are preferably held in position by means of ribs B1-32 respectivelyv carried by the members 13 and 14 in the recessed portions. These ribs project into recesses 33-34 in the outer faces of the respective semi-circular members, and the members are held against displacement by means of a pin or projection 35 which passes through the respective members 29-30 and projects on opposite sides thereof. The pin 35 passes through an elongated recess 36 in the respective ribs 31-32, and each recess is provided with an opening 37 opening through one face thereof to perlnt the pin 35 to be readily inserted and withdrawn when desired.

Horizontal yielding members 3S such as springs, are secured to the ends of the pins 35, one on each side of the respective members 13-14 and the other ends of these springs are anchored as at 39 to the respective faces of the members 13 and 14.

Vith this construction the semi-circular members 29-30 will be adapted for a rotary movement to predetermined extents within the respective members 13 and 14 and the horizontal yielding members 38 will permit of such movement at the same time will operate to retract or rotate the semi-circular members in the opposite directions to cause them to be properly positioned to co-operate with each other for encompassing and holding the box and cap.

One extremity of each of the semi-circular members is provided with a bifurcation 40, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

The ar wheel 16 has secured to it for rotation t lerewith a platform 41 which receives and supports the box 42 as shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 5, and at the time when the ca`43 is superposed thereon.

he box and cap are fed into the machine in different planes and preferably side by side. That is to say, one series of boxes will be fed While a series of caps therefor are also being fed and to that end there is provided a platform 44 for receiving the boxes and delivering them upon the support 41 and also in a position to be engaged and encompassed by the co-operating semi-circular members 29-30. Another platform 45 is provided for receiving the caps 43 and for directing the caps successively over the boxes 42 (see particularly Figure 4) to superpose the cap upon the box and the box and cap will be positioned to be simultaneously encompassed by the co-operating semi-circular members 29 and 30. The inner face of each of the semi-circular members 29-30 is respectively provided with recesses 46-47. The recesses are of a length co-extensive with the inner faces of the` respective members 29-30 and are of a considerable width so as to receive the flanges on the box and cap so as not to interfere With the telescoping operation, in that the recesses will permit the flange on the cap to be moved with respect to the members 29-30 while the cap is being telescoped upon the box.

lVhen the boxes and caps are fed in this manner and superposed, they will be advanced by the co-operating semi-circular members 29-30 and passed under a freely rotating roller 48, the latter being fixed against bodily movement but rotatably mounted by means of supports 49 secured to the uprights or supports 11 and 12. The roller 4S co-operates with the platform or support 41 and as the superposed box and cap are advanced and as they pass under the roller, the roller will exert a pressure upon the cap and will force it into telescoping relation with the box, as shown in Figure 4.

As the box and cap advance the roller will be rotated and the box with its cap secured thereto will pass between the members 13 and 14, the semicircular members 29-30 relatively moving with respect to the members 13 and 14 so as to advance and deliver the box with the cap thereon. When the box and its cap thereon has passed from between the members 13 and 14, it will be delivered to a suitable conveyor 50 to be conveyed away from the machine. The conveyor 50 is operated in any suitable manner such as by means of an endless chain or sprocket 51 that passes over a suitable pulley 52 connected with one of the pulleys over which the conveyor passes and over a suitable pulley or sprocket wheel 53 that is secured to the shaft 24, suitable idlers 54 being provided for the sprocket chain 51, if desired.

If desired, suitable ball bearings 55 may be provided for the gears 14-15 to rotate upon.

The boxes may be fed into the machine by means of sprocket chains 56 which pass over .f

sprocket wheels 57 secured to the shaft 24 for rotation therewith. These sprocket chains 56 also pass over sprocket wheels 58 and 5f) suitably located, so that a portion of the run of the endless members or sprocket chains 56 2;.

will be in alinement with the top of the platform or support 44, the boxes being fed between suitable guides 60.

The caps are fed to the machine preferably in a similar manner, that is by means of sprocket chains 61 passing over suitable sprocket wheels 62 secured to the shaft 24 for rotation therewith and also passing over sprocket wheels 63 and 64 so that a portion of the run of the endless conveyors or sprocket chains 61 will be substantially flush with the top of the platform 45, the caps being fed through suitable guides 65.

Inasmuch as the boxes and cap are fed into the machine side by side but in different planes. one end of the platforms 44 and 45 are deflected in directions towards each other as shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 7, so as to superpose the box and cap and place them in a position to be engaged and adlili] .vanced by the cooperating semi-circular members 29 and 30.

In order that the end of the platform 45 which extends for a short distance into the bite of the tWo rotatable members, vvill not interfere with the operation of the members 29 and 30 and prevent them from enclosing the box and cap so as to encompass the same, the bifurcation 4 0 in one end of each of the members 2930 is provided, the bifurcation permitting the end. of the platform to pass therethrough when the semi-circular members 29 are enclosed about the box and its cap during the rotation of the members 13 and 14.

hile the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, Without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as neuT is 1. A capping machine embodying means for feeding into the machine boxes and caps therefor in horizontal planes one above the other, means for receiving and centralizing a box and its cap one With relation to the other and for superposing one upon the other, and means fixed against bodily movement beneath which the box and cap are forced to telescope them together.

2. A capping machine embodying means for feeding into the machine the boxes and caps therefor in horizont-al planes one above the other, means for receiving and eentralizing a box and its cap one with relation to the other and for positioning one above the other, and means for forcing the box and its cap together in telescoped relation, the last recited means embodying a pressure roller beneath which the box and cap pass, the said pressure roller maintaining a position fixed against bodily movement `with respect to the second recited means.

3. A capping machine embodying means for feeding into the machine the boxes and caps therefor in horizontal planes one above the other, means for receiving and centralizing a box and its cap one with relation to the other and for positioning one above the other, and means for forcing the box and its cap together in telescoped relation, the last recited means embodying a pressure roller beneath Which the box and cap pass, said roller being rotated by the contact therewith of the article being operated upon.

4., A capping machine embodying means for feeding boxes and caps into the machine, means for receiving` and positioning the boxes and caps one above the other, the last said means embodying tWo rotatable supports, semi-circular members recessed` into and opening through the periphery of the respective sup-ports, said members being' bodily movable with the supports and rotatable with respect thereto, the semi-circular members on the respective members co-operating te receive the box and cap therebetween, and means for forcing the box and cap together in telescoped relation.

5. A capping machine embodying means for feeding boxes and caps into the machine, means for receiving and positioning the boxes and caps one above the other, the last said means embodying two rotatable supports, semi-circular members recessed into and opening through the periphery of the respective supports, said members heingdaodily movable with the supports and rotatable With respect thereto, the semicircular members on the respective members co-operating to receive the box and cap therebetween, and means for forcing the box and cap together' in telescoped relation and in directions transverse to the direction of travel of the boxes.

6. A capping machine embodying means for feeding boxes and caps into the machine, means for receiving and positioning the boxes and caps one above the other, the last said means embodying tivo rotatable supports, holders between the said supports,said holders being bodily movable with the supports and with respect thereto, the said holders on the respective members cooperating to receive the box and cap therebetween, and means operating upon the box and capl to force them together as they are advanced by the said holders.

7. A capping machine embodying two sup ports rotatable about parallel axes, semi-cir cular members movable with the respective. supports and with respect thereto, said ment bers opening through the periphery of the respective supports and cooperating to receive and hold a box and cap superposed therein and move them between the supports, and means forexerting pressure upon the box and cover' in directions along the line of the axes thereof to force them together and in telescoping relation.

8. A capping machine embodying means for feeding boxes and caps into the machine, means for receiving and positioning'the box and cap one above the other, the last said means embodying two rotatable supports, semicircul`ar members recessed into `and opening through the periphery of the respective supports, said members being bodily movable with the supports and rotatableiwith respect thereto, the semi-circularmembers on the respective members co-operating to receive the box and cap therebetween, resilient means disposed between the said member and the respective supports, and means for forcing the box and cap into telescoping relation While held` by said members.

9. A capping machine lembodying twoisupports rotatable about parallel vertical axes and disposed in close proximity, semi-circular members recessed into the periphery of each of said members and opening through said periphery, said members being movable with and freely rotatable with relation to the said supports, means for rotating said supports, means for feeding the boxes and caps therefor, superposing them and placing them in position to be received by the respective cooperating semi-circular members on the said supports to be advanced between said suports, and means for forcing the box and cap in telescoped relation as they are advanced by said members.

10. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel vertical axes and disposed in close proximity, semicircular members recessed into the periphery of each of said members and openin g through said periphery, said members being movable with and freely rotatable with relation to the said supports, means for rotating said supports, means for feeding the boxes and caps therefor, superposing' them and placing them in position to be received by the respective cooperating semi-circular members on the said supports to be advanced between said sup ports, means for forcing the box and cap in telescoped relation as they are advanced by said members, and a resiliently yielding connection between the said semi-circular members and their respective support.

11. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel vertical axes and disposed in close proximity, semicircular members recessed into the periphery of each of said members and opening through said periphery, said members being movable with and freely rotatable with relation to the said supports, means for rotating said sup` ports, means for feeding the boxes and caps therefor, superposing them and placing them in position to be received by the respective cooperating seini-eircular members on the said supports to be advanced between said supiorts, and means for forcing the box and cap in telescoped relation as they are advanced by said members, the faces of the respective semi-circular members adjacent the box and vcap being recessed throughout their length.

12. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel vertical axes and disposed in close proximity, semi-circular members recessed into the periphery of each of said members and opening through said periphery, said members being movable with and freely rotatable with relation to the said supports, means for rotating said supports, means for feeding the boxes and caps therefor, superposing them and placing them in position to be received by the respective cooperating semi-circular members on the said supports to be advanced'between said supports, and means for forcing the box and cap in telescoped relation as they are advanced by said members, the faces of the respective semi-circular members adjacent the box and cap being recessed throughout their length, said recess being of an extended width in the direction lengthwise of the axis of the meniber.

13. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel axes in close proximity to each other, semi-circular members movable with and rotatable with relation to the respective supports, said members eooperating to receive and hold a box with a cap superposed thereabove and convey them between the supports, and means embodying superposed supports for feeding the box and cap to said members, one of the last said supports projecting for a predetermined distance between co-operating sen'ii-circular members, one extremity of the said semi-circular menibers being bifurcated, the said stationary support passing through said bifurcation.

14. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel axes in close proximity to each other, sen'ii-circular members movable with and rotatable with relation to the respective supports, said members eooperating to receive and hold a box with a cap superposed thereabove and convey them between the supports, superposed supports for holding a supply of boxes and caps to be delivered to said semi-circular members, one extremity of said semi-circular members being bifurcated and through which bifurcation one of the last said supports passes, and means individual to the last said supports for advancing the boxes and caps therealong.

15. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel upright axes, outwardly opening semi-circular members cariied by the supports, a pin extending transversely through said members and entertering an elongated slot in said support, resilient means forming a connection between said pin and said support for connecting said semi-circular member thereto for movement therewith and with respect thereto, an d means for rotating said supports to cause the respective semi-circular members to co-operate to receive an article therebetween and convey the same between the said supports.

16. A capping machine embodying two supports rotatable about parallel upright axes, outwardly opening semi-circular members carried by the supports, a pin extending transversely through said members and entering an elongated slot in said support, resilient means forming a connection between said pin and said support for connecting said semi-circular member thereto for movement therewith and with respect thereto, and means for rotatingT saidsupports to cause the respective semi-circular members to co-operate to receive an article therebetween and convey the same between the said supports, the faces of the said semi-circular members adjacent the periphery of the box and cap being recessed to form an extended and wide recess for the reception of flanges on the box and cap.

'17. A capping machine embodying means for feeding boxes and caps into the machine, means for receiving and positioning the boxes and caps one above the other, the last said means embodying two rotatable supports, semi-circular members recessed into and opening through the periphery of the respective supports, said members being bodily movable with the supports and rotatable with respect thereto, the semi-circular members on the respective members cooperating to receive the box and cap therebetween, means for rotating one of the said supports, means whereby the -other support will be rotated by the last said support, and means 'for forcing the box Y and cap together in telescoped relation as they are advanced by the rotation of said supports.

18. A capping machine embodying means for feeding boxes and caps into the machine, means for receiving and positioning the boxes and caps one above the other, the last said means" embodying two rotatable supports,

semi-circular members recessed into and open- 

